Final DMV Top 20

Now that the high school season is over it is time to make the final high school ranking for the top 20 in the DMV. The DMV is defined as the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. It would not include the Richmond or Baltimore areas. An MVP will be named for each team as well as a surprise player of the year. A surprise player is someone not ranked or given a lower ranking who made a significant contribution to a team's success. Obviously, a coach with more exposure with his team could differ on these selections. A Virginia top twenty will be posted later this week.    Holy Cross (29-0) - The Tartans went undefeated during the season becoming the only DMV team to beat Flint Hill. They also were able to down Bishop O'Connell twice, the final time to win the WCAC championship. Private schools in Maryland have no state championships. The obvious MVP would be [player_tooltip player_id='180288' first='Emerson' last='Sellman'], who earned player of the year honors with the WCAC. The nod for surprise player goes to [player_tooltip player_id='181304' first='Sarah' last='Jeremias'] who transferred to Holy Cross. She went from a bench player with her old team to a six rotation contributor, providing offense from the back row and front row, as well as delivering excellent defense.    2. Flint Hill (33-3) - They won the VISAA state championship, defeating Bishop O'Connell in the finals. Their only three losses were against Holy Cross and two teams from Florida. The Huskies overall set record against teams they played in the top 20 was 23-3, with two set losses against Holy Cross and one set loss against Bishop O'Connell. They swept past Georgetown Day twice, Colonial Forge, Battlefield, Hidden Valley, James Woods and Bullis. [player_tooltip player_id='233010' first='Mickhaila' last='Murray'] takes the MVP honors because of her ability to play all six rotations. She also contributed an emotional presence to the team. With [player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang'] injured early in the year [player_tooltip player_id='181279' first='Kadi' last='Pynchon'] took over libero responsibilities. Flint Hill did not miss a beat with her back row play. She also remained present in the back row as a defensive replacement and server. She finished third on the team in aces and digs.    3. Bishop O'Connell (31-8) - The only two teams they lost to in the DMV area were to Holy Cross (twice), Flint Hill and Virginia Academy. The loss to Verginia Academy came in Florida when the Knights were still trying to figure out their lineup. They later went on to beat Virginia Academy in four sets later during the season. All but two of their wins during the season were by sweeps. [player_tooltip player_id='180281' first='Erin' last='Debiec'] gets the nod as the team MVP. For the third year in a row she made the first team WCAC. Transfer [player_tooltip player_id='475116' first='Jocelyn' last='Pye'] clearly earned the surprise player of the year. The Knights did not know what their outside hitting situation looked like at the start of the season, but Jocelyn stepped up to lead the team in hitting playing one of the left sides.    4. Langley ((27-3) - The Saxons won the Class 6 state championship, defeating Battlefield in four. Their only losses on the year came to Madison three times. [player_tooltip player_id='180284' first='Chloe' last='Hokenson'] earns the MVP accolades for her ability to thrive as a setter and a right side hitter. Her offense carried the team in the state finals. The surprise player would have to be [player_tooltip player_id='476364' first='Amber' last='Smith'], who took over a critical libero role and handled it seamlessly.    5. Riverside (26-1) - The Rams only loss came against First Colonial in the finals of the Class 5 State championship. That final loss had to hurt, but it should not take away the fact that it was still an incredible season for them. It was truly a total team effort, but if I had to hand out an MVP it would be to [player_tooltip player_id='181309' first='Brianna' last='Holladay']. Her quick hits in various locations kept teams off balance and her blocking intimidated offenses. The surprise player has to be [player_tooltip player_id='333651' first='Sydney' last='Ray'], who took over the setting responsibilities as a sophomore and handled it like a veteran.   6, Richard Montgomery (22-3) - The Rockets won the Maryland class 4 state championship. They lost two matches to Wooten and one to Holy Cross. It was their first state championship in school history. The team MVP goes to [player_tooltip player_id='235748' first='Ema' last='Djordjevic'] for her right side hitting and setting. The surprise player award goes to [player_tooltip player_id='478765' first='Amy' last='Ye']. At 6'0' she also proved a capable hitter on the right side.   7. Georgetown Day (22-5) - They had to be disappointed coming up short in the ISL or at least failing to take a set off Flint Hill, something no team has done since 2011. Despite that, they did win their second consecutive D.C. state championship. [player_tooltip player_id='180285' first='Clara' last='Yu'] earned the MVP honors for the state championship and will get the nod for team MVP. The surprise player award goes to [player_tooltip player_id='326533' first='Shiraz' last='Benyoucef'], who was an outside hitter last year but won the libero role this year.    8. Battlefield (19-6) - The Bobcats lost their first three matches this year. They bounced back to get to the finals of the Class 6 State championship before losing to Langley. They carried a veteran roster but the MVP award goes to Ceder Run player of the year [player_tooltip player_id='182776' first='Brianna' last='Clay'] for her play in the middle. No real surprise players but the small 5'7" left sides [player_tooltip player_id='235276' first='Taelin' last='Connolley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='235275' first='Grace' last='Bianchi'] proved that height can sometimes be overrated. Opposing blocker's hands were their best weapon.    9. James Wood (27-2) - For the second consecutive year the Colonels won the Class 4 state championship, setting a precedent previously held by Loudoun County. Their only two losses for the year came at the Endless Summer tournament against Flint Hill and Hidden Valley. [player_tooltip player_id='181302' first='Kennedy' last='Spaid'] wins the MVP award for leading the team in kills as a sophomore. They had a small roster so I will have to give the surprise player award to setter [player_tooltip player_id='180282' first='Paige' last='Ahakuelo'] for finishing second on the team in kills. Setting is her main focus but this year she showed that hitting belongs in her tool box as well.    10. Riverbend (27-3) - They could not get past Riverside in the playoffs, losing to them both in the Regionals and the semifinals of the State. Their only other loss was to Hidden Valley in the finals of the Patriot tournament. The MVP honors go to the 6'3" middle [player_tooltip player_id='309022' first='Peri' last='Linterman'], who was unstoppable on offense. [player_tooltip player_id='397536' first='Aubrey' last='Parker'] earns the surprise player award for her ability to take on the setting responsibilities as a sophomore and do an incredible job.   11, Colonial Forge (21-7) - They knocked out Woodson in the first round of the state championships, then took Langley to five in the semi-finals, losing the fifth set 17-15. Three of their losses were to Riverbend, while their other losses were to Flint Hill, Battlefield and Hidden Valley. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='182753' first='Isabel' last='Ostvig'] wins the team MVP award while her younger sister [player_tooltip player_id='465297' first='Grace' last='Ostvig'] impressed with her outside hitting to win most surprising.   12. Arundel (24-1) - For the second consecutive year they went undefeated during the regular season, only to lose in the finals of the State championship. Last year the loss was to Urbana in Class 4. This year North Hagerstown took them down the road of defeat in the Class 3 state finals. They have now appeared in four straight state finals, winning the first two. [player_tooltip player_id='309025' first='Payton' last='Swinton'] earns the MVP award for her offensive performance from the right side. [player_tooltip player_id='481852' first='Taylor' last='Johnson'] wins the biggest surprise award. At 5'6" she plays libero during the club season. For Arundel she showed she can be a pretty dominant left side finishing second to Payton in kills.    13. Briar Woods (23-5) - Of the five losses three of them came against Riverside. The other two were to Hidden Valley and finally Riverbend in the Regional playoffs. Clemson recruit [player_tooltip player_id='237667' first='Skyler' last='Riggio'] earns the MVP award for her offense from the right side and her consistent back row play. She led the team in hitting. The biggest surprise was left side [player_tooltip player_id='453965' first='Taylor' last='Hansen'], who finished second on the team in hitting.    14. Woodson (22-2) - The Cavaliers had a strong season, losing only to Riverside and a tough five setter in the first round of the Class 6 state playoffs to Colonial Forge (16-14 in the 5th set). Both [player_tooltip player_id='233000' first='Maura' last='Fay'] and [player_tooltip player_id='210539' first='Emma' last='Gardner'] were the offensive leaders on the team, but the MVP nod goes to [player_tooltip player_id='233000' first='Maura' last='Fay']. The surprise player of the team has to be [player_tooltip player_id='469251' first='Nora' last='Gilmer'], who lists at 6'0". She was the other setter for the team in a 6'2" but also provided significant offense from the right side, finishing third on the team in kills and blocks. She also led the team in service aces.    15. Madison (25-4) - Langley may have won the Class 6 state championship but Madison beat them all three times they played them. The Warhawks would have played them a fourth time but Battlefield eliminated them from the state playoffs in the semi-finals. The MVP award goes to frosh [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick'], whose offense from the left side proved impactful for someone who played as a libero in club. The most surprising player nod goes to [player_tooltip player_id='181314' first='Aubrey' last='Loughlin'] in the middle. Her presence gave the Warhawks the luxury of three talented middles, one of whom they could move to the right side later in the season to put up an impressive blocking trio.   16. Bullis (13-3) - Their three losses came against Holy Cross, Flint Hill and Georgetown Day. A sparse schedule prevented me from ranking them higher. Their 16 matches were the lowest among the top 20. [player_tooltip player_id='181300' first='Alexis' last='Ewing'] improved her game, playing both back row and front row. That wins her the MVP award. No player really stands out as a surprise player.    17. Colgan (20-4) - Despite losing a number of critical seniors last year, the Sharks still played well enough to win their division and get themselves to the Regionals before bowing out to Battlefield. [player_tooltip player_id='209790' first='Aubrey' last='Hatch'] clearly wins the MVP award for leading the team in hitting. She also won the player of the year award for her district. After losing their two starting middles last year [player_tooltip player_id='333653' first='Elizabeth' last='York'] stepped up and led the team in blocking. That earns her the surprise player of the year award.    18. Chantilly (15-4) - The Chargers lacked a real tough playing schedule as well, which may have hurt them during the playoff round. Langley eliminated them from the regionals with a sweep. They did have a tough district with Oakton and Madison all swapping victories against each other. Chantilly finished third in the division. [player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu'] wins the MVP award. She may be the top hitter in the public schools despite her junior status. [player_tooltip player_id='469183' first='Frida' last='Sagastume'] wins the surprise player of the year, finishing second on the team in kills.   19. Rock Ridge (19-5) - The Pheonix lost three of their first four matches and four of their first six. Battlefield, Riverside and Briar Woods toughened them up for the conference season and playoffs, which put them on a 17 match winning streak. Their season ended with a four set loss to Blacksburg in the opening round of the state playoffs. [player_tooltip player_id='209791' first='Grace' last='Tucker'] won player of the year for the Dulles District. That gives her the MVP nod as well. Surprise player of the year goes to [player_tooltip player_id='483590' first='Rania' last='Lahbibi'] who finished second on the team in kills and first in blocks.    20. Virginia Academy (40-8) - Their biggest win was in Florida when they beat Bishop O'Connell twice in a three set match. They lost to them later on in the season, but did take one set in a four set match. They played in the Division II VISAA state championships and lost to Covenant in the semi-finals. The MVP award goes to frosh [player_tooltip player_id='333650' first='Louise' last='Neuhart'], who was their top offensive performer. Surprise player award goes to [player_tooltip player_id='181764' first='Kristen' last='Moore'], who seemed to improve on her game from last season. She played middle, led her team in blocks and was third on the team in kills. Her .472 hitting percentage equates to almost half of her swings finding the floor.    21. Glenelg (21-2) - Their only two losses during the season were to two teams who made the finals in the Maryland State Playoffs, Centennial and Arundel. The loss to Arundel was in the semi-finals of the state playoffs. I did not get to see them play but I would give the MVP award to setter [player_tooltip player_id='309026' first='Lindsay' last='Kelley'], who ran a 5/1. No player stands out as a surprise player.

Now that the high school season is over it is time to make the final high school ranking for the top 20 in the DMV. The DMV is defined as the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. It would not include the Richmond or Baltimore areas. An MVP will be named for each team as well as a surprise player of the year. A surprise player is someone not ranked or given a lower ranking who made a significant contribution to a team's success. Obviously, a coach with more exposure with his team could differ on these selections. A Virginia top twenty will be posted later this week.